Activity budget and behavioural patterns of Gelada Theropithecus gelada (Mammalia: Primates: Cercopithecidae) on the Gich Plateau of the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Abstract

The time budget and behavioural patterns of Gelada were studied on the Gich Plateau of the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. The plateau is dominated mainly by Afroalpine grasses and the endemic giant Lobelia rhynchopetalum. Gich lies on the climatic and altitudinal limits of the Gelada's geographical distribution. Activity data were collected using continuous focal animal scan sampling method during 10 consecutive days each month (from May 2013 to April 2014). Data were recorded for different age/sex classes. The Gelada spent on average 56.7% of daylight hours feeding, 14.1% travelling, 10.7% resting, 17.5% socializing and 1.1% in other non-social activity. There was seasonal variation in activity budgets, indicating a significant increase in time allocation for feeding activity, but a decrease in resting time during the dry season. The age/sex classes showed variation in activity budgets, except for social activity.